What Moral is Dickens trying to elicit in his readers?

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Introduction

A Christmas Carol A Christmas Carol is a novel written by Charles Dickens (1812-1870) during the Victorian age, an era that took its name from Queen Victoria, England titular ruler from 1819-1901. Under Queen Victoria's rule, London reigned the worlds dominate city country and the country's incomparable center of commerce, culture and government. At this time London's industrial age contributed to a large share of the manpower and capital that brought the country to a position of world economic dominance. However there was a downside to the industrial age, industrialization had altered the physical, social and cultural landscapes of Great Britain. The rise of the factory system had drawn rural peasants to the great urban centers in numbers, incomparable in history, creating dangerous conditions of overcrowding and feeding, developing modern problems of social displacement, crime and poverty. Within London the River Thames was filled with sewage and industrial waste. The air was contaminated with soot and pollution which emptied from residential and industrial chimneys. Until the second half of the 19th century London residents were still drinking water from the very same portions of the Thames that the open sewers were discharging into. Inside the factories, the place of economic production, self-interested owners paid poverty level wages for fourteen hour days and employed young children in dangerous, even lethal, work environments. Child labor became a very big problem. Children of all ages worked in factories (mills), mines, picking fruit and preparing sea-food. The children not only suffered because of lack of education, they also suffered from injuries caused by the machines. They usually had to work with machines that only adults have the strength for, and know how to use. Some children were deformed or crippled because of working with the machines. The children had no other choice, if their parents were poor; they needed to help bring money into the family. The orphans had no family but they needed the money for themselves. ...read more.

Middle

shovel, the master predicted...for them to part' This selfless act demonstrates that even on a bitter cold winter's day Scrooge keeps himself warm with his fire, however doesn't share the coal with his employee therefore remains cold. Furthermore, being a very poor clerk, with his family living on his wages, makes life very difficult. His situation is indeed known to Scrooge who uses this to his advantage. This is revealed to the reader when 'The clerk in the tank involuntarily applauded' and Scrooge snapped back 'Let me hear another sound from you, and you'll keep your Christmas by loosing your situation'. This shows Scrooge's unlimited power over him. Finally Scrooge, as mentioned previously is very greedy and self centered. So naturally he will be very stingy towards Bob probably not even sparing him a penny. This concept is proved to us on Christmas Eve when Scrooge asks whether he would want the next day off and gets a positive reply though he then says 'Its not convenient and it's not fair. If I was to stop half a crown for it, you'd think yourself ill used, I'll be bound? And yet you don't think me ill used when I pay a day's wages for no work'. This explains how Scrooge doesn't want to pay him nevertheless knowing the special occasion. Scrooge's nephew is a joyful person with Christmas glistening in his heart. He comes to Scrooge's counting house wishing him a Merry Christmas. However Scrooge has very different views and opinions surrounding Christmas, almost opposite. His views and opinions are revealed after this moment as he says 'Merry Christmas! What right have you to be merry? What reason have you to be merry? You're poor enough'. This shows that on his mind is always money and what class you belong to, not the Christian view of celebrating and sharing no mater what state you are in. ...read more.

Conclusion

They first went and overheard a conversation between a group of businessmen. They were talking about Scrooge's death. They commented on his legacy, however concluded that he left it to his company. They talked about his funeral, not caring at all. One queried whether they should 'make up a party and volunteer'; another replied 'I don't mind going if a lunch is provided'. This shows that Scrooge was a very uncared for person. Scrooge understands that if he changes he could change the course of his future. He tells the spirit that he will change and 'honor Christmas' in all his heart. In the last chapter Scrooge was overcome with joy when he realizes its Christmas day. He tells a passing boy to buy the prize turkey and send it to Bob Cratchit's. He went out wishing everyone a Merry Christmas as they went by. He sees the charity workers and tells them to come back later where they will receive payment. He went to his nephew's house and joined in the party sharing happiness and joy. The next day he got in early catching his clerk coming in late. Bob thought he was going to get fired; instead Scrooge raised his salary and promised to help his struggling family. From this it shows Scrooge was able to redeem himself in every possible way in contrast to the past. From there on Scrooge kept Christmas in his heart and was a changed man. In conclusion the moral in which Dickens is trying to elicit in his readers is in my opinion that 'It is never too late to change your ways. You should be kind to yourself and others. Sharing Christian values in every possible way'. Dickens shows the differences in society between the rich and the poor and how we should help others to benefit all. Especially highlighting the views and opinions of the poor and how they feel because many people aren't aware of these factors. ?? ?? ?? ?? 1 ...read more.

Related GCSE A Christmas Carol essays

Instead of changing his mood, Scrooges frame of mind remains the opposite of everyone else's. An example of Scrooge hating the time of year is again when he is speaking to his nephew. He cries "out upon merry Christmas", meaning he is out of favour with the idea of Christmas and everything concerning it.

Class divisions became a symbol of the Victorian age. The rich and the poor kept their distance, and often looked upon the other with mutual suspicion and loathing. The Victorian conception of poverty allowed for little compassion. The poor were generally considered to be of inferior moral character.

Instead, he turns out to be an opposite character. The spirit then takes him to his sister's deathbed. She is very weak as she gives birth to Fred, (Scrooge's nephew). She tells him to take good care of her child after her death.

this cap, and force me through whole trains of years to wear it low upon my brow?"' The Ghost is trying to tell Scrooge, that it is people like him that put out the light of the world with their greed and selfishness but Scrooge still denies it.

The children were still ecstatic about it. 'There's such a goose, Martha!' 'There never was such a goose' said Bob More signs of changing are shown here by Scrooge, he asks the spirit if Tiny Tim will live. It is the fist sign of compassion we see from Scrooge.

Expect the first tomorrow when the bell tolls One.' 'Couldn't I take 'em all at once, and have it over, Jacob?' hinted Scrooge. 'Expect the second on the next night at the same hour. The third, upon the next night when the last stroke of Twelve has ceased to vibrate.

Dickens shows how Scrooge is very cold in his heart, with negative language such as 'What right have you to be merry? You're poor enough'. We notice here that Scrooge is limited to negative language, such as, 'Anyone who celebrates Christmas should be boiled in his own pudding, and a

'A Christmas Carol' is a very light hearted novella as it is based on a festive time of year. Dickens intended to add plenty of humour. The novella and how it is presented, is based upon a Christmas song. It has staves which would act as verses and Christmas songs are meant to feel 'jolly'.